How old ARE those athletic shoes you’re wearing? Have you ever had a custom analysis of your gait done before you bought a pair of shoes? Do you heels, feet, knees, or lower back hurt while running? It’s probably time to replace your shoes with a pair designed just for you!

Are you noticing any of these things:

~Aches or pains in feet, ankles, knees, lower back?
~Slight muscular fatigue (different that the norm)?
~New tightness in any area, including shoulders?
~Shin Splints?

Running in old or worn out shoes is asking for trouble. Shoes lose stability and shock absorption before you can even notice the signs of wear on the shoe itself. Over time, this added stress can lead to overuse injury. Ask any serious runner. It’s miserable to be sidelined before an event, especially when you’re on a roll and have been enjoying a new found fitness level. This can be prevented by simple strategy (one of my favorite words), including replacing those running shoes when they wear out.

Most running shoes need to be replaced between 350-550 miles. The lower end of this scale is for heavier runners. Lighter runners can get more out of their shoes. (Another plus for dropping unneeded pounds).

Are you logging 25 miles/week? Then you’re going to need to replace those shoes every 3-4 months.

If you wear glasses, you most likely have a prescription customized to our exact specifications. You wouldn’t share this prescription with your best friend or your spouse. You have your own unique needs.
It’s the same with your feet. Don’t buy the same shoes as your girlfriend or husband! You need to know what type of foot and gait you have to empower you to purchase the right shoe just for you!

Treat your feet right. They’re your foundation. You need to take very good care of them so they’ll serve you well forever.

Knowledge is the solution. You need to find a store that has trained professionals working, who know how to do a gait analysis. They will take a look at how you stand and how you walk on a treadmill and from a few other simple tests, will be able to determine what type of shoe you need to have on your foot.

Specialty running stores are a good place to start. If you are in the Lakeland, Florida area, try Fit Niche. Rich does a fantastic job not only fitting clients properly, but also empowering them with strong, scientifically based knowledge.

I have Rich come in and do a gait analysis on all of my boot camp clients as they are getting started to ensure foundational protection. Your feet take a beating every day. Take care of them.

Enjoying the journey,

Whitney Cabrera RN, BSN
Strategic Wellness
Strategic Boot Camp